Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-05-04
LESSON.

coIXN IN LIZ .
Johnnie Carr was a bright, pleasant
boy and a general favorite in the town
where he lived. His parents loved him
very much, but like other boys, he had
his faults.
One was, reluctant obedience. He
always intended to obey his father and
mother, but wanted to do it in his own
time and his own way.
One Saturday afternoon he was sent
to the store for oil. His mother said:'
$50 straight there, Johnnie, and
don't stop anywhere"
Johnnie promised but on the way, he
met Nicholas Barnes, called for short
'.Nick." He wa a new boy in town,
and had several times made a great
deal of trouble for his folks. Johnnie
had promised not to nave anything to
do with Nick.
But Nick had met Johnnie a few
days before, and offered him some
candy. Johnnie took it, saying to him.
self. t:Nickis not so bad as some peo-
people think"
This time Nick met him as if he had
been an old friend asking .'Where you
going?"
s.Store for OIL" replied Johnnie.
How much money you got?"
Johnnie showed a bright piece of
silver.
"Al that for oil?" asked Nick.
EYES,"
"No change back? Not a red,
Johnnie?" .
'sNot a red,' answered Johnnie.
Nick thought a moment. then began
to talk of something very different.
"When we going to have some choco-
late creams?"
Johnnie's mouth watered, for he was
very fond of that kind of confectionery.
He sighed as he said: :Dun-no, money
is scarce down our way"
They were now nearing the church.
s'Let's sit down here on the sOld
South steps and talk it over" said
Nick. s'Let's see, I treated on cho-
colates last time, now it's your turn"
Johnnie hadn't thought of that when
he accepted half the contents of the
candy bag! For the first time it dawned
upon him that Nick would expect him
to return the compliment. He said:
I dunno. when it'll be Nick. PAS
sold one of his horses cause he was
short for money; he's going to make
one do all the work, so I don't think
I'll get much spending money this
SUMNER
Suddenly a queer look came over
,Nick's face. He spoke quickly, but in
a low tone. g.
"You just keep still minute, Johnnie,
I'll tell you something."
He dashed away without giving any
information. Johnnie kept ssstil''
until he was tired of it; and was about
starting for the store when Nick APP
.peared, very much excited.
"Johnnie," he said," we can have
some chocolates to-day"
SHOW SOP"
at came into my head just now
when I see the old sexton going down
into the graveyard" said Nick. "He's
left the church open, the cellar doors
unlocked and there's a whole barrel of
kerosene in there!"
As the plan flashed upon Johnnie's
mind, his face grew very red Nick
did not seem to notice this and went
on: Il
''Let's fill the can, who'll know the
difference? Iguess two quarts of oil
wont kill nobody" =
Johnnie was greatly shocked, but be-
fore he could speak Nick disappeared
with the can. When he returned it was
full. He passed it to Johnnie, who
shrank back. Pr
II can't take the oil. Nick; it don't
belong to me. It's stealing"
~"Stealing? Oh, no." said Nick
slowly. SHOW you look here, this oil
belongs to the parish, and yonr pa is
one ofthem. So you see part Of the
oil is his'n."
He stopped suddenly with a look Of
fright, the old sexton was returning.
Evidently Nick thought his argument
would not convince him, for he said
'hurriedly.
.'It wont do for ussto hang round
here any longer, he'll know the
whole thing. Let's hide the can and
have some fun up town."
As they went, Nick seeing that
Johnnie did not feel right about it,
said.
'sThe South church. folks are as rich
as mud. An old Teller died here once,
and left them piles of money to run
things with. So this oil don't come o.
them. It wont hurt them to give us q
little once in 2 while, as longs they